Revd Dr Jonathan H Pye MA

Bristol Methodist District Chairman

 I was born and brought up in the North West and studied theology at Durham,   Cambridge and Leeds. After training at Wesley House, Cambridge I served in a rural Circuit in the North-East, a suburban Circuit in Bristol, a City Centre Circuit in Leeds and rural/town Circuit in Cumbria as Superintendent.

 I have been a Chaplain in prisons, hospitals, schools and universities, and have lectured in departments of both theology and medicine.  I have lectured in the USA, Canada, Australia and South Korea as well as the UK.

 For twelve years, I was Principal of Wesley College, Bristol,  I was the healthcare lead at the Cardiff University Centre for Chaplaincy Studies and maintain my post as Honorary Research Fellow in the Centre for Ethics in Medicine /Research Associate in the School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, and have published books and articles, mostly on theology, spirituality and healthcare ethics. In 2015, I returned to the Bristol District of the Methodist Church as Chair in 2015 when I was also appointed as an Honorary Bishop of the Joongang Conference of the Korean Methodist Church.

 I have served on many national committees and working parties for the Methodist Church, including the Faith and Order Committee of the Methodist Church and was the Methodist representative on the national Doctrine and Worship Committee of the URC.

 I am married to Denise and we have two adult children, Naomi and Thomas. Once having played rugby, I now enjoy watching it and, when possible, enjoy Theatre and the Arts.

Revd Ruth Whitehead, BSC, MA

Moderator of South Western Synod of the United Reformed Church

I was born in West Yorkshire but grew up in South Wales and have lived in many places in England since.

My first degree in Biological Sciences led to four years as a schoolteacher before training for ministry.

I served as a minister in the United Reformed Church in Woodford Green & Buckhurst Hill, Summertown in Oxford, a United URC/Methodist church in Abingdon, and then four churches in South Cambridgeshire (two of them Anglican). I became Moderator of the South Western Synod in July 2013.

 Special Areas of Interest – helping the local church to be faithful and hopeful, sharing God’s love and sharing in God’s mission; a consultancy approach to listening to problems and seeking solutions together.

 Hobbies; – walking, running, camping, music and reading.

Revd Gary Gotham

Area Chair

Pastoral Responsibility: Devizes St Andrews/Marston and Market Lavington

Gary graduated from Northern College Manchester in 2000 and served 5 churches in Stockport, Cheshire for twelve years before coming to Wiltshire.

In his spare time he enjoys hazy summer days with friends, Formula One, real ale and messing about with computers.
There is a rumour he is building a kit car in his garage, but internal combustion engines will be outlawed before he ever gets round to finishing it.

Email: gary.gotham@gmail.com 

Tel: 01380 724264

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/garygotham

Revd David Coppard

Methodist Superintendent

Pastoral Responsibility: Warminster, Westbury Methodist, Westbury URC and Steeple Ashton

The Wiltshire United Area are pleased to welcome the Revd David Coppard to begin his ministry with us from September 2012. David will have pastoral care for Westbury Methodist Church, Westbury United Reformed Church, Warminster Methodist Church and Steeple Ashton Methodist Church. 

 David comes to us from the Ilfracombe and Barnstaple Circuit in North Devon, previous to this he was in Bournemouth where he worked with our previous Superintendent David Ellis, both of whom are avid train enthusiasts.  David’s other interests include long distance running, cycling and exercising Poppy, his border collie dog. 

 David originates from Somerset on leaving school at 16 with one O Level in Woodwork he was an apprentice carpenter, his first construction site being in Frome.  As a child he had felt a call to Ordination and has spent almost twenty years in Circuit Ministry.  He trained at Wesley College with Chris Cory and also studied at Cardiff University where he obtained a Master’s degree. 

Email: david.coppard@methodist.org.uk

Tel: 01737 858805

Revd Tracey Lewis

Pastoral Responsibility: Trowbridge United, Trowbridge Wesley Road and Holt URC

I come, originally, from Cardiff in South Wales. I was a member of a united URC/Methodist Church until I applied for ministerial training and went to study in Manchester.

My first pastorate was with two United Reformed Churches in the West Midlands. I then took a career break while my children were small and enjoyed being part of a local community in Hertfordshire with other parents and studied for an M.A in applied theology and mission.

Returning to Ministry I served in a URC in Bristol for 15 years where I was involved in the rebuilding and development of the church buildings for community use, the exploration of the Bible with the congregation, arranging several pilgrimages to Iona and was Chair of the Bristol Multi Faith Forum.

I have served on the URC Mission Committee and Mission Council.

I have 2 grown up children. My interests include cooking, knitting, occasional art projects, reading and I enjoy walking and gardening.

Pastoral responsibility for Trowbridge United, Trowbridge Wesley Road and Holt URC.

Email: tracey.a.lewis@btinternet.com

Tel: 01225 759170

Revd Pam Stranks

Pastoral responsibility: Calne, Corsham and Bromham

Pam joined the Wiltshire United Area in September 2020 having recently moved back to Wiltshire after being in Methodist circuit ministry in Devon for 10 years.

She joined the Methodist Church whilst attending a local church toddler group with her young children, became a local preacher, served as a layworker and completed her Ordination training at Wesley College in Bristol.

She was initially appointed to churches in the Chippenham circuit before relocating to Devon. She is married to David and they have grown up children and young grandchildren. She enjoys spending time with the family, singing, especially choral singing, and eating out when possible! 

In recent times during ‘lockdown’ she has been growing fruit, veg and flowers!

Email: pamstranks@gmail.com

Tel: 01249 818923